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MADRID. — Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti wants no let up from his side in the remaining nine La Liga games of the season after thrashing Granada 9-1 yesterday.Cristiano Ronaldo was at his rampant best as he scored five for the first time in his career, while a Karim Benzema double and a Diego Mainz own goal added to Gareth Bale’s opener.

Ronaldo scored five goals for first time in his career, he became the first Real Madrid player to score five goals in a La Liga match since 2002 (Morientes vs Las Palmas) and has tied Alfredo Di Stefano for most official hat-tricks (28) in Real Madrid history.

Ronaldo joined Messi on 24 La Liga hat-tricks and this was the biggest defeat for Granada in La Liga history.

Victory moved Madrid to within a point of league leaders Barcelona, who travel to face Celta Vigo.

The European champions face six more league games in the next 28 days, as well as a Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid and Ancelotti is hoping the return of key players from injury will prove the key to ending the campaign on top form.

“The team is fresh and it shows,” said the Italian.

“We started with a good tempo and scored lots of goals. We are happy, but it is only one game and we need to concentrate on Wednesday to be just as good as today.”

Real travel across Madrid to face Rayo Vallecano in midweek and Ancelotti added he would happily swap his side’s free-scoring form for nine 1-0 wins between now and the end of the season.

“Obviously I would swap this for nine 1-0 victories, but we have to highlight that the team has returned to playing like we like.” — SuperSport/Mailonline.